Lehigh Valley legislators, concerned over what is described as potentially severe environmental impact of a proposed four-lane bypass around the Lehigh Tunnel, will attempt today to block permanently any future consideration of the bypass to relieve miles-long congestion on the turnpike.

State Rep. Paul McHale, D-133rd District, said he and eight other state representatives from the Lehigh Valley drafted an amendment yesterday striking the bypass from legislation proposed to correct highway problems, including the bumper-to-bumper traffic associated with weekend and vacation traffic through the Lehigh Tunnel.

The bypass plan was originally proposed by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and touted as significantly cheaper than another plan to build a twin tunnel next to the existing Lehigh Tunnel.

McHale said he has been approached numerous times during the past several months by environmentalists concerned about the possible effects of the bypass on the Appalachian Trail, which would be disrupted by the bypass construction but could be preserved under the twin-tunnel proposal.

On record in opposition to the bypass are the Appalachian Trail Conference and the Sierra Club.

"The Appalachian Trail is a national treasure, and we are privileged to have it pass through our community," said McHale. "We have to make an effort to preserve that trail, not only for current residents, but for generations to come."

McHale added, "I believe we can protect the integrity of the Appalachian Trail and improve the transportation system over the Northeast Extension of the turnpike with the construction of a new tunnel."

In addition to the disruption of the Appalachian Trail, legislators are concerned about the proposed bypass disrupting residential wells and the water supply to Slatington. Environmentalists have said the proposal will also disrupt state game lands, and destroy a 190-acre hunting club and a fish hatchery.

State Rep. Paul Semmel, R-187th District, said several homes would have to be demolished in his district to make way for the bypass construction.

The bypass and tunnel proposalsare part of a more-than-$3-billion transportation-improvements package called the Turnpike Extension and Toll Road Conversion Act. In addition to the work in the Lehigh Valley, the bill calls for such work as widening the turnpike to six lanes north of Philadelphia. Additional proposals, including conversion of interstates 80 and 70 into toll routes, are still matters of dispute, according to McHale.

An original $39.7-million price tag was put on the new tunnel construction, which would be only $1.5 million more than the bypass. But considerable maintenance costs over the life of the tunnel would increase the tunnel's overall cost.

A spokeswoman for the turnpike commission yesterday said the commission could not comment until it reviews the proposed amendment.

The commission has employed Gannett Transportation Engineers, Harrisburg, to study the tunnel versus the bypass option. The study was due out in spring.

McHale said he is "disappointed that the turnpike commission did not consult more carefully with the legislators from the Lehigh Valley" before studying the options to relieve tunnel congestion.

Commenting on legislators' willingness to accept the higher construction costs, McHale said, "It is very worthwhile to spend . . . beyond the cost of a bypass to construct a tunnel that would preserve the character of the Appalachian Trail."

Turnpike legislation currently is worded to authorize funding for "either" the tunnel or bypass. By striking the bypass option, no funds would be available for it.

If successful in striking the bypass option and approving the tunnel option, McHale said the legislators also will attempt to move the tunnel into the list of proposed construction projects which would get underway immediately.

The Lehigh Valley work is listed among projects to be completed in later phases of turnpike improvements.

"We feel it is one of the most important projects in the entire system," McHale said.

Other House members joining in the effort are William Rybak, D-135th District; Jack Pressmann, D-132nd District; Roy Afflerbach, D-131st District; Leonard Gruppo, R-137th District; David Argall, R-124th District; and Keith McCall, D-122nd District, according to McHale.

"We are looking for a way to provide maximum transportation relief for the turnpike while having minimal environmental impact - the tunnel is that alternative," McHale said.